# Explosions at Manchester Arena (England) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 22, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243 "2017-05-22T23:17:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/61 "2017-05-23T03:32:27Z")
How horrible. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/62 "2017-05-23T03:32:37Z")
Any thoughts on why they shut down the trains? A huge crowd at an arena needs to get safely home. Shutting down mass transit seems counterintuitive. Otherwise you’ve got huge numbers of new people driving into the city to pick these survivors up. More people, more chaos and maybe an opportunity for another bomber. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/63 "2017-05-23T03:40:13Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Any thoughts on why they shut down the trains? > > A huge crowd at an arena needs to get safely home. Shutting down mass transit seems counterintuitive. Otherwise you’ve got huge numbers of new people driving into the city to pick these survivors up. More people, more chaos and maybe an opportunity for another bomber. Looking at [the area](https://www.google.com/maps/@53.4875828,-2.2450785,17.25z) on Google maps it appears the train station is connected to or very close to the Arena. I thought at one point I saw something saying the station was under it but I’m not finding that now. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/64 "2017-05-23T03:43:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Any thoughts on why they shut down the trains? > > A huge crowd at an arena needs to get safely home. Shutting down mass transit seems counterintuitive. Otherwise you’ve got huge numbers of new people driving into the city to pick these survivors up. More people, more chaos and maybe an opportunity for another bomber. Apparently the arena is adjacent to a major railway station. I presume the authorities were thinking of the possibility of a second bomb timed to catch people flooding into the station following the first event. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/65 "2017-05-23T03:43:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Any thoughts on why they shut down the trains? The 7/7 bombing hit public transit back in 2005. Authorities may have feared the possibility of follow-on bombs on the trains tonight, intended precisely to harm the crowds of people as they fled. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/66 "2017-05-23T03:45:58Z")
A 2nd bomber is always a possibility. Perhaps shutting down mass transit was necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/67 "2017-05-23T03:48:32Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > But they blew it up, right? Shouldn’t they have realized it was just clothing before they got to the point of a “controlled explosion”? I know, they do this all the time, I’ve just never understood why they blow up things they thought \*might \*be bombs but weren’t. Because guessing wrongly about a pile of stuff can be lethal when dealing with bombs. You can’t go over to the pile and start poking it with a stick because if it is a bomb that might set it off and kill people. So you err on the side of caution. Getting everyone out of the way of a potential bomb then blowing it up in place is less likely to result in death and maiming than attempting to move a bomb. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/68 "2017-05-23T03:53:08Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Looking at [the area](https://www.google.com/maps/@53.4875828,-2.2450785,17.25z) on Google maps it appears the train station is connected to or very close to the Arena. I thought at one point I saw something saying the station was under it but I’m not finding that now. Check wiki. It’s **on top of** the station. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/69 "2017-05-23T04:10:45Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Check wiki. It’s **on top of** the station. Well, closing the station is certainly required in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/70 "2017-05-23T04:24:47Z")
I’m a little surprised no group has claimed responsibility yet. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/71 "2017-05-23T04:27:30Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Check wiki. It’s **on top of** the station. Thanks. I thought I saw a news report mention that too which of course would pretty much require them shutting the station down for a bunch of reasons. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/72 "2017-05-23T04:33:20Z")
Maybe someone just really hates shitty “music”? ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/73 "2017-05-23T04:40:36Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > 1. The vast majority of Muslims in the world are not terrorists. > > 2. At the same time, there is more religious terrorism conducted in the name of Islam today than in the name of any other religion on the planet. Agreed. > [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > **Keep the political/religious jabs out of this thread!** > > Discussing possible suspects based on news info: fine. > > ]Maligning entire religions: not fine. > > Discussing the political implications of this: fine > > Gratuitous political shots: not fine. Still not allowed to identify the [common denominator](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Islamist_terrorist_attacks) when civilians are the prime targets of terrorist attacks huh. [Not all Muslims.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XHV7SJ4xGU) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/74 "2017-05-23T04:55:42Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > Makes sense in a sick way - lots of young kids for maximum outrage. It’s a concert. Lots of people in a crowded space. That’s why they choose that place. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/75 "2017-05-23T05:04:56Z")
Western Govts. are hypocrites. There are countries like India which are fighting terrorism from islamic cancerous neighbour Pakistan since decades. Only now, when in their own countries, terrorist attacks are occurring, the western Govts. are waking up. There needs to be sanctions against countries supporting radicalization. There needs to be international coalition, intelligence sharing against terror. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/76 "2017-05-23T05:13:17Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > It’s a concert. Lots of people in a crowded space. That’s why they choose that place. I’m honestly surprised that it took this long for something like this to happen. Fortunately, many terrorists have a penchant for flashy but not-always-effective attacks. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/77 "2017-05-23T05:16:41Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yes, they blew it up. An abandoned backpack I could understand, especially after the Boston Marathon bombing. A discarded sweater or whatever it was? C’mon guys, use your heads, at least a little. But, like I said, everyone is understandably jumpy, and they’re operating out of an abundance of caution. A bit of explosives is relatively cheap, especially when compared with the possibility of additional casualties. Plus, the bomb squad has to earn their keep. …I would imagine it was a large bag of abandoned clothing, not a discarded sweater. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/78 "2017-05-23T05:32:56Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Maybe someone just really hates shitty “music”? Seriously? You’re posting _this_?? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/79 "2017-05-23T06:44:23Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I’m honestly surprised that it took this long for something like this to happen. Fortunately, many terrorists have a penchant for flashy but not-always-effective attacks. Well, by definition, “flashy” is part of their entire reason for being and doing, so it makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243/80 "2017-05-23T06:48:13Z")
An eyewitness on BBC news this morning said the aftermath of the explosion smelt like fireworks - I guess this means it wouldn’t be a fertilizer/peroxide bomb but something gunpowder-based? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-at-manchester-arena-england/787243.md?page=5)